It's actually a good idea to AVOID being attacked first. Sometimes we forget that and pay the inevitable price.

Iraq surrendered in 1991. When you surrender, your ass is owned by the victor until he specifies otherwise. The terms of the surrender involved arms inspectors having UNLIMITED access to Iraq. Predictably, Clinton and Albright let that one slide rather than make any tough decisions, but post-9/11 GW decided that Iraq did need to comply with the surrender terms, which they were given numerous opportunities to do.

Iraq was on probation...if you're on probation and you violate the terms, you go back to jail...no judge, jury, or lawyer required, the cops on the scene make the decision. It would have been nice if it had been explained to the public in that manner, because it's crystal clear and doesn't depend on evidence of anything but inspection non-compliance, which was obvious to anyone.